Final answer:
The idea of Pan-Africanism played a crucial role in colonial cooperation by promoting unity and nationalism amongst Africans. However, colonial policies primarily focused on the relationship between individual colonies and European powers, limiting Pan-African collaboration.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pan-Africanism and Colonial Cooperation in Africa
The concept of Pan-Africanism was particularly instrumental during colonial times in facilitating a form of cooperation and the awakening of nationalism amongst African colonies. As European powers carved up the African continent in pursuit of resources and territory during the era of colonialism, the idea of Pan-Africanism emerged, emphasizing the unity of African peoples under a shared identity and struggle. Initiatives such as the National Congress of British West Africa (NCBWA) hinted at a collective political action that transcended colonial divides. However, the nature of colonial rule, which fostered separate interactions between each African colony and its European metropole, drastically limited the scope for inter-African cooperation.
Famous scholars like Cheikh Anta Diop helped to fortify a Pan-African identity by drawing cultural and historical connections between ancient Egypt and the rest of the African continent. Moreover, the Pan-African Congress, organized by notable figures like W.E.B. Du Bois, aimed to influence international support for African self-determination. Nonetheless, it is crucial to understand that colonial aims were not aligned with fostering African unity, hence the existence of a fragmented post-colonial African geopolitical landscape.